Best ways to actually reach a NY unemployment representative when 888-209-8124 keeps hanging up
I'm at my wit's end trying to get through to someone at NY unemployment. Every time I call 888-209-8124, I just get the automated message about 'high call volume' and then it HANGS UP ON ME! This has been going on for MONTHS and my issue is still unresolved. Has anyone found a phone number that actually transfers you to a real person? Are there physical offices in NY where you can just show up and talk to someone face-to-face? This is absolutely crazy that there's no way to get help when you need it. I've tried calling at 8:00am sharp, tried late afternoon, nothing works. I'm about to lose my mind (and my apartment) if I can't get this sorted soon.
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Kiara Greene
Unfortunately, the NYSDOL doesn't really have walk-in offices for unemployment claims anymore - most physical locations closed after COVID and never reopened for in-person services. Your best bet is still calling, but try these strategies: 1. Call exactly at 8:00 AM Monday morning 2. Use multiple phones to call simultaneously if possible 3. If you hear the high volume message, hang up and immediately redial 4. Keep trying repeatedly for at least an hour 5. Try calling on Wednesday afternoons around 2-3 PM when volume seems lower Also, have you tried their online messaging system? Log into your NY.gov account, go to your unemployment dashboard, and look for the secure message option. Sometimes they respond within 48 hours.
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Isaiah Cross
•Thanks for the tips! I actually didn't know about the secure message option - I'll try that tonight. I've been calling exactly at 8AM but no luck so far. I'll try the Wednesday afternoon thing too. It just seems ridiculous that in 2025 there's no way to actually talk to someone about an issue that affects whether I can pay rent or not!
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Evelyn Kelly
omg same problem!!! i've called like 50 times this week. so annoying!!!
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Isaiah Cross
•Exactly! Have you found ANY way to get through? I'm starting to think they designed it this way on purpose so they don't have to help people.
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Evelyn Kelly
•nope nothing works. i tried calling from my friends phone thinking maybe they blocked my number lol. still the same message and hangup
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Paloma Clark
After dealing with this for WEEKS last spring, I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual human at NYSDOL. It's basically a system that waits on hold for you and calls you back when an agent is available. I was skeptical at first but got connected to an agent within about 2 hours after trying for almost a month on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE The website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. Honestly, with how impossible it is to get through normally, it was worth it for me. My claim issue got resolved in one call after the agent picked up.
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Isaiah Cross
•Thank you!!! I'll check this out today. At this point I'd try anything to get this resolved. Did they actually fix your problem once you got through to someone?
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Paloma Clark
•Yes! Once I actually got to speak with someone, they fixed my issue in about 15 minutes. The problem wasn't complicated - they just needed to remove a hold on my account - but I couldn't do it myself online and couldn't get through on the phone. The NYSDOL rep I spoke to was actually very helpful once I finally got through.
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Heather Tyson
The trick that worked for me was calling the TTY/TDD number instead of the main line. The regular number never works but the TTY line got me through to a person after about 45 min on hold. I think the number is 888-783-1370. worth a try
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Kiara Greene
•While this might work, please remember that TTY/TDD lines are specifically set up for deaf or hearing-impaired individuals. Using these lines when you don't need the service can potentially block access for those who rely on them. There are better alternatives to try first.
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Heather Tyson
•oh sorry didnt know that...was just sharing what worked for me
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Raul Neal
I understand your frustration completely. Having worked adjacent to NYSDOL for years, I can tell you that current wait times are significantly worse than usual due to their system upgrade that started in January 2025. Here's what you need to know: 1. There are NO walk-in offices for unemployment claims specifically. The Career Centers can help with job searching but cannot access or modify your unemployment claim. 2. The most effective method currently is to use the secure message system through your NY.gov account. Be very specific about your issue and include all relevant claim numbers and dates. They're currently responding to these within 5-7 business days. 3. If calling is your only option, the absolute best time is Tuesday or Wednesday between 10:30-11:30am. That's after the morning rush but before lunch breaks. 4. Contacting your state representative's office can sometimes help expedite urgent claims issues. They have special channels to NYSDOL. 5. Make sure you're continuing to certify weekly even if you have an unresolved issue. Whatever you do, don't create multiple accounts or make repeated claims as this will flag your account for fraud review and make everything much worse.
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Isaiah Cross
•This is incredibly helpful information, thank you! I didn't know about the system upgrade - that explains a lot. I'll try the secure messaging system right away, and I'll also try calling at the times you suggested. I've been certifying weekly, so at least I'm doing that right. My state rep is actually pretty responsive, so I'll reach out to their office too.
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Jenna Sloan
This is WHY the system is broken!!! They DONT WANT to help us!!! I've been trying for 3 MONTHS to get someone on the phone. My benefits stopped for NO REASON in February and I can't pay my bills!!! The whole system is designed to FRUSTRATE people so they give up. I've called over 200 times. TWO HUNDRED!!!! Nothing works and nobody cares.
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Christian Burns
•While it can definitely feel that way when you're struggling to get help, I don't think it's intentionally designed to be difficult. The NYSDOL system is just severely outdated and understaffed. They're actually in the middle of a technology update that's been causing even more issues than usual. Have you tried contacting your state assembly person or senator? Their offices often have direct contacts at NYSDOL and can help escalate urgent cases. I had a similar situation in December and my assemblyman's office got it resolved within a week after I'd been trying for a month on my own.
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Isaiah Cross
Update: I tried the secure messaging system like several of you suggested, and I actually got a response this morning! They said my issue requires speaking with an agent (of course), but they gave me a specific date and 2-hour window to call a special number where someone will be expecting my call. Fingers crossed this actually works! I'll post another update after my scheduled call time.
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Raul Neal
•That's great news! The callback scheduling system is relatively new (implemented in January 2025) and seems to be working well for resolving complex issues. Make sure you have all your documentation ready for the call - claim ID, dates of employment, any correspondence you've received about your issue, etc. This will help the representative resolve your problem more quickly. Good luck!
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Paloma Clark
For anyone else dealing with this, after I used the Claimyr service I mentioned earlier, I learned some tricks directly from the agent I spoke with. She told me they're actually required to answer 90% of calls that make it into their queue, but their system capacity is limited. The problem isn't that they don't want to help - it's that their phone system literally can't hold more than a certain number of callers at once. She recommended: 1. Calling between 10:30-11:30am on Tuesdays specifically 2. If you do get the "high call volume" message, wait exactly 3 minutes and call back 3. If you're placed on hold, NEVER hang up - they do get to everyone in the queue eventually Hopefully this helps someone else!
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Isaiah Cross
•Final update: My scheduled call went through and they fixed my issue! For anyone dealing with similar problems, the secure message method worked best for me. They scheduled a specific time for me to talk to an agent who already knew my case details, and it was resolved in about 20 minutes. What a relief after months of stress!
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